Havemercy
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This stunning epic fantasy debut introduces two exciting new authors—and a world brimming with natural and man-made wonders, extraordinary events, and a crisis that will test the mettle of men, the boundaries of magic, and the heart and soul of a kingdom.
Thanks to its elite Dragon Corps, the capital city of Volstov has all but won the hundred years’ war with its neighboring enemy, the Ke-Han. The renegade airmen who fly the corps’s mechanical, magic-fueled dragons are Volstov’s greatest weapon. But now one of its members is at the center of a scandal that may turn the tide of victory. To counter the threat, four ill-assorted heroes must converge to save their kingdom: an exiled magician, a naive country boy, a young student—and the unpredictable ace who flies the city’s fiercest dragon, Havemercy. But on the eve of battle, these courageous men will face something that could make the most formidable of warriors hesitate, the most powerful of magicians weak, and the most unlikely of men allies in their quest to rise against it.
Thanks to its elite Dragon Corps, the capital city of Volstov has all but won the hundred years’ war with its neighboring enemy, the Ke-Han. The renegade airmen who fly the corps’s mechanical, magic-fueled dragons are Volstov’s greatest weapon. But now one of its members is at the center of a scandal that may turn the tide of victory. To counter the threat, four ill-assorted heroes must converge to save their kingdom: an exiled magician, a naive country boy, a young student—and the unpredictable ace who flies the city’s fiercest dragon, Havemercy. But on the eve of battle, these courageous men will face something that could make the most formidable of warriors hesitate, the most powerful of magicians weak, and the most unlikely of men allies in their quest to rise against it.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Havemercy is quite an impressive debut from two promising authors. It takes place in the kingdom (or esardom? The ruler is called the Esar) of Volstov, which has been in an almost never-ending war with the empire of Ke-Han. Volstov has gained the upper hand mainly because of their air force: a group of fourteen mechanic dragons flown by the pilots of the Dragon Corps. Now, times are quieter and the Dragon Corps, bound to ground, are growing restless. In the beginning of the story one of their members, Rook (who flies the strongest of the dragons, Havemercy) has managed to offend the wife of an Arlemagne diplomat. Things are not made better as Margrave Royston, a wizard and another main character, causes another scandal with his relationship with an Arlemagne prince (Volstov does not seem to mind homosexuality, but Arlemagne is much more conservative, and Volstov has been trying to get an ally of Arlemagne...)
Royston is banished from the city to his brother's country estate, where he meets Hal, third of the main characters. Hal, a lover of stories and books, has been something of a protege of the brother, tutoring his children. I don't think it's a big spoiler to say that a romance will soon (if slowly) start developing between these two.
Last of the main characters is Thom, a student at the university, who is given the unrewarding task of trying to school the Dragon Corps into a little more civilized beings. His relationship with the Corps in general and Rook in particular, _quite_ different from that between Royston and Hal, was one of my favorite parts in this book.
The book was a little slow to start - or rather, once I had become familiar with the world and the characters, the middle part seemed a little stretched out. But then, two thirds into the book, things started building up again as the Ke-Han magicians find a way to turn the almost lost war in their favor.
Even though _Havemercy_ is a laudable first novel, it's not quite without faults. The lack of female characters was bit too conspicuous, for one thing. (Hah, there were times the air of the story reminded me of a slash fanfiction, for anyone familiar with the term. A very good slash fanfiction, mind you, but anyway.) There were a few women in the story, but their characters felt a little bit like necessary background ornaments, only there to point out that yeah, sure, there _are_ women also in this world. I would also have wished to see more of the dragons. Havemercy is a wonderful, witty creation, wouldn't have minded reading more of her.
If there'll be a sequel (and I think - hope - there will), I'll be sure to check it out.
Royston is banished from the city to his brother's country estate, where he meets Hal, third of the main characters. Hal, a lover of stories and books, has been something of a protege of the brother, tutoring his children. I don't think it's a big spoiler to say that a romance will soon (if slowly) start developing between these two.
Last of the main characters is Thom, a student at the university, who is given the unrewarding task of trying to school the Dragon Corps into a little more civilized beings. His relationship with the Corps in general and Rook in particular, _quite_ different from that between Royston and Hal, was one of my favorite parts in this book.
The book was a little slow to start - or rather, once I had become familiar with the world and the characters, the middle part seemed a little stretched out. But then, two thirds into the book, things started building up again as the Ke-Han magicians find a way to turn the almost lost war in their favor.
Even though _Havemercy_ is a laudable first novel, it's not quite without faults. The lack of female characters was bit too conspicuous, for one thing. (Hah, there were times the air of the story reminded me of a slash fanfiction, for anyone familiar with the term. A very good slash fanfiction, mind you, but anyway.) There were a few women in the story, but their characters felt a little bit like necessary background ornaments, only there to point out that yeah, sure, there _are_ women also in this world. I would also have wished to see more of the dragons. Havemercy is a wonderful, witty creation, wouldn't have minded reading more of her.
If there'll be a sequel (and I think - hope - there will), I'll be sure to check it out.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I haven't read a young adult fantasy novel for ages (not since...well, not since I was a young adult), but as a big fan of Jaida Jones' online work 'Shoebox Project' I was keen to read her first (co) published work.
Havemercy is certainly an engaging read, if unchallenging. Jones and Bennet have created a believable and intriguing world (indeed, I would have liked even more detail). The plot, once it gets going, barrels along nicely, but some of the 'twists' were fairly unsurprising. It also suffers at the start from a couple of heavy handed devices designed to fit in as much exposition as possible - especially Thom's 'assignment' at the dragon corps.
The dragons were a lovely device and the relationship between Havemercy and Rook was one of the most charming aspects of the book. I also enjoyed the relationship between Hal and Royston, but it got too sappy towards the end of the book. I found the use of four narrators slightly jarring, and it made it difficult to warm to any of them. Of the four, only Rook had a unique voice, which only added to the problem.
I admire the two authors for a readable debut. I also expect a lot of development in the future, and I'm sure their work will go from strength to strength. Havemercy isn't the most challenging of novels, but any fantasy fan in their mid teens will probably enjoy it.
Havemercy is certainly an engaging read, if unchallenging. Jones and Bennet have created a believable and intriguing world (indeed, I would have liked even more detail). The plot, once it gets going, barrels along nicely, but some of the 'twists' were fairly unsurprising. It also suffers at the start from a couple of heavy handed devices designed to fit in as much exposition as possible - especially Thom's 'assignment' at the dragon corps.
The dragons were a lovely device and the relationship between Havemercy and Rook was one of the most charming aspects of the book. I also enjoyed the relationship between Hal and Royston, but it got too sappy towards the end of the book. I found the use of four narrators slightly jarring, and it made it difficult to warm to any of them. Of the four, only Rook had a unique voice, which only added to the problem.
I admire the two authors for a readable debut. I also expect a lot of development in the future, and I'm sure their work will go from strength to strength. Havemercy isn't the most challenging of novels, but any fantasy fan in their mid teens will probably enjoy it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Bought this on the strength of the authors' reputations online.
It's a good first novel, and the world-building and male characters are excellent - the final battle scene at the end had me on the edge of my seat! It's also great reading something which portrays gay relationships in genre fiction in a normal fashion i.e. not something which has been consigned to the 'gay fiction' section of our bookstores.
However, as had been said elsewhere, the female characters - those few that there are - are terrible. It's hard to believe in a world where all the women are caricatures we have seen before!
It's a good first novel, and the world-building and male characters are excellent - the final battle scene at the end had me on the edge of my seat! It's also great reading something which portrays gay relationships in genre fiction in a normal fashion i.e. not something which has been consigned to the 'gay fiction' section of our bookstores.
However, as had been said elsewhere, the female characters - those few that there are - are terrible. It's hard to believe in a world where all the women are caricatures we have seen before!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I Was Expecting Better
The first book of a fantasy series (the third recently published) set in an Empire called Volstov, this book follows four separate characters: Royson, a Margrave (or wizard) in... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Eden
Fantastic
I first heard of Havemercy after reading a 50-page excerpt online, and I was instantly taken with the witty writing style of the duo. Read more
Published 8 months ago by S.L.E
One of the best fantasy books I've ever read.
Havemercy is original, funny, enthralling and entertaining to the extent that I can't remember the last time I've enjoyed reading anything so much, except perhaps for the Harry... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Elliot Prior
HaveMercy - a great read.
A lovely book with an exciting story and well developed characters whose problems and achievements become very real to the reader. There is magic with a fresh twist. Read more
Published 20 months ago by E. Nicholson
wow
Well was I impressed or what?!
Although there are a great many things i could pick up on that I didn't like about this book, none of them are enough to put me off from... Read more
Although there are a great many things i could pick up on that I didn't like about this book, none of them are enough to put me off from... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Larewen Evenstar
Enormous fan flailing
I read the shoebox project, by the authors (A piece of Harry Potter fanfiction that is better than the books, novel length found here []) and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Read more
Published on 15 April 2009 by K. james
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